Project activity “Exchange of experiences and best practices related to anti-trafficking inter-institutional cooperation and policy planning and discussions on way forward”

11.06.2018.

Implementing the joint project by Lithuania, Latvia and Moldova "Enhancing Moldovan capacities in fighting against trafficking in human beings" (ICMPD/2018/MPF-240-003) project action “Exchange of experiences and best practices related to anti-trafficking inter-institutional cooperation and policy planning and discussions on way forward” was held on 4 – 5 June, 2018 in Chisinau at premises of General Police Inspectorate gathering representatives from various State institutions, law enforcement agencies and NGOs dealing with anti-trafficking issues in Moldova.

During two-days training session through sharing of practical experiences, lessons learned, advice and recommendations several fruitful sessions consisting of presentations and discussions were provided:

* Methodology on the synergy-building between anti-trafficking actors:

THB policy planning and organisational structures employed for policy implementation; discussion on state of inter-agency synergy implementing anti-trafficking strategy by the state agencies in Moldova moderated by Ms Lasma Stabina, National Anti-Trafficking Coordinator, Ministry of the Interior, Latvia;

* Moldovan and EU Member States/ international experiences and best practices on inter-institutional cooperation and national anti-trafficking policy planning:

- Coordination mechanism of the counter-trafficking activities that ensures supportive interaction on the field; discussion on the methods of counter- trafficking partnership moderated by Mr Ian Sweet from the Office of Anti-Slavery Commissioner, United Kingdom;

- Intelligence-led policing and role of evidence based data and analysis; discussion on information exchange between key anti-trafficking players and its management moderated by Dr PhD Jorn van Rij, Senior Lecturer Criminology, the Inholland University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands.

* Moldovan way forward as regards inter-institutional cooperation and policy planning against Trafficking in Human Beings and modern slavery:

- Framework building for better cooperation between law enforcement institutions and other State/public agencies and NGOs implementing anti-trafficking strategy;

- Cooperation mechanism, both vertical and horizontal, between law enforcement agencies preventing and implementing THB-related crimes and protecting victims of trafficking.

The training was ended up with discussion of recommendations regarding improvement of the national institutional framework and encouragement of the anti-trafficking policy planning.

The implementation of this project activity and discussions were facilitated and supported by Mr Alvydas Sakocius, Adviser to the Minister of the Interior, Lithuania, Head of the Project Component, and Moldovan anti-trafficking expert Ms Ana Revenco from La Strada.

The Project is led by the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania.

The Project is funded by ICMPD in the framework of Mobility Partnership Facility.

Project activity "Assessment/review of current anti-trafficking national institutional framework and policy planning"

03.05.2018.

Implementing the joint project by Lithuania, Latvia and Moldova "Enhancing Moldovan capacities in fighting against trafficking in human beings" (ICMPD/2018/MPF-240-003) project action on assessment of current anti-trafficking national institutional framework and policy planning in Moldova took place in Chisinau, Moldova from April 23 - 27.

A team of international experts:

- Mr Alvydas Sakocius - Adviser to the Minister of the Interior, Lithuania, Head of the Project Component,

- Mr Ian Sweet from the Office of Anti-Slavery Commissioner, United Kingdom,

had meetings, presentations and fruitful discussions with representatives from various institutions having important role, tasks and responsibilities in the implementation of the National Anti-Trafficking Strategy 2018 - 2023 of Moldova: General Inspectorate of the Police, Centre for Combating Trafficking in Persons, Border Police Inspectorate, Criminal Prosecution Department, General Prosecutor`s Office, Migration and Asylum Bureau, Specialised Prosecutor`s Office for Combating Organised Crime and Special Causes.

The team of experts is supported and assisted by local experts: Ms Ana Revenco from La Strada, Mr Grigore Moga and Ms Elena Gherta from General Inspectorate of the Police, and Mr Vladimir Negura, Project Manager in Moldova.

The Project is led by the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania.The Project is funded by ICMPD in the framework of Mobility Partnership Facility.

The Kick-off Meeting on Anti-Trafficking Project in Chisinau, Moldova

23.03.2018.

The Kick-off meeting on the action „Enhancing Moldovan Capacities in Fighting against Trafficking in Human Beings“(grant agreement No ICMPD/2018/MPF-240-003) was held in Chisinau, Moldova on 23 March 2018.

The meeting marked the launch of the action which aims at supporting the improvement of the national institutional framework and anti-trafficking policy planning and implementation, enhancing the involvement of NGOs and non-traditional stakeholders in helping, supporting and protecting victims of trafficking in human beings as well as supporting capacity building of the competent Moldovan institutions in the area of victim identification, investigation and prosecution, as well as international cooperation.

The action is implemented under coordination of the Ministry of the Interior of Lithuania in partnership with the Ministry of the Interior of Latvia and the Ministry of the Interior of Moldova.

The State Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior of Moldova Mihail Beregoi highlighted that this action is very on time as the Government of the Republic of Moldova this week has approved the National Strategy for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings 2018-2023 and the Action Plan for the Implementation of the National Strategy for 2018-2020.

During his welcoming speech, the Head of the General Police Inspectorate Alexandru Pinzari stressed that the consolidation of the capacities in the fight against trafficking in human beings is the key priority in the Police Development Strategy 2016-2020.

The representative of the ICMPD stressed that Lithuania is an example to follow for other EU members in initiating the actions under Mobility Partnership Facility. And this is the first project on enhancing the capacities to fight against human trafficking under the Mobility Partnership Facility.

The event gathered more than twenty participants, including the beneficiary state institutions, the Delegation of the European Union to Moldova, non-governmental organizations active in the field of trafficking in human beings and victims protection.

During the meeting, the key achievements and findings of the inception phase as well as the project roadmap for upcoming activities were discussed and agreed with all participants noting the importance of close cooperation and coordination throughout the action implementation phase. Lithuania, Latvia and Moldova have presented the situation on fighting THB in their countries and overall achievement as well as challenges they phase in this area.

The EU supports non-EU countries cooperating with the EU to implement security sector reforms and establish the rule of law on their territory, with the aim of tackling trafficking in human beings, developing capacities of law enforcement, building strong law enforcement and prosecution.

The action is financed by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) under the Mobility Partnership Facility (MPF).